Bergamot Station Arts Center
(310) 829-5854
2525 Michigan Ave
Santa Monica,
CA
90404
34.0271
-118.4686
Neighborhoods: West LA, Pico
What People Are Saying About Bergamot Station Arts Center
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Background
Once a train depot for the now-defunct Red Line trolley, this warehouse complex houses more than 30 art galleries and the Santa Monica Museum of Art. Converted into an art gallery enclave in the '90s, it now stands as L.A.'s most stylish cultural center, frequented by local artists, designers, collectors and tourists.
The View
The stylish complex manages to mingle bohemian style with Westside wealth. The Shoshana Wayne Gallery, the pioneer of Bergamot galleries, showcases artists such as Yoko Ono and Philip Argent. Track 16 exhibits collaborative art, from performance to paintings, from recognizable names like David Byrne and Karen Finley. The Gallery of Functional Art sells beautiful and bizarre furniture, lighting and sculpture. Unique shopping experiences can be found at Sculpture to Wear, an unusual jeweler and the Colleagues Gallery, a couture vintage-clothing shop.
User Reviews
kiercemartin
August 05, 2008
So I went and checked out Bergamot over the weekend and I don' t know if my expectations were too high or what, but it just wasn't as cool as I expected it to be. Being an old train station there's not a lot of flow to the whole thing and there's no information about any of the galleries or artists or the museum itself anywhere to be found. So that kind of left us feeling a bit stranded. Regardless, there was some cool art and it is a cool venue. I feel like maybe it just depends on the art that's being featured at the time and we just got it on an off weekend. Definitely worth checking out though!
read full review
leschnei
July 03, 2007
Friends and family have always told me that I needed visit Bergamot Station and I now know why they were so insistent. I found at least 6 shows that I liked when I was there (quite a feat for someone who has super particular art standards) and really enjoyed the space. It is a local diamond in the rough!
read full review
rudette
November 18, 2006
Better than a modern art museum because you could potentially buy something. Plus, since this is a cluster of galleries, the variety is amazing. The cafe serves good lunch fare. In addition to all that, this place is a painful reminder that we used to have public transportation in LA!
read full reviewThe Details on Bergamot Station Arts Center
Parking:
The large parking lot is always free, but fills to capacity on opening nights, so arrive early.
When to Go:
Opening night receptions are staggered, except for Bergamot's annual, group "reopening" in September, when galleries coordinate receptions. These events are almost always free--unless there's a special benefit.
Know Before You Go:
Located in the A building, the Gallery Cafe at Bergamot Station serves soups, sandwiches, salads and cappuccinos.
